Clint Kelly, senior Response writer and Seattle Pacific University communications specialist for 30 years, died Nov. 7, 2019, after a brief illness. He was 69 years old.
Kelly profiled hundreds of people for SPU’s brochures, fundraising appeals, programs, and publications before retiring in 2018.
“No matter what the topic, Clint brought wit and wisdom to the task,” said JOHN GLANCY ’70, former director of University Communications. “Over the three decades we worked together, I was always impressed with the breadth of his writing, both in and out of SPU, and the depth of insight he possessed.”
Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Kelly earned an associate degree in forest technology from Clatsop Community College. He and his wife, Cheryll, moved to the Canadian wilderness, where he worked with students at a boarding school in Selkirk, Manitoba.
When they returned to the United States, Kelly, his wife, and four children settled in Everett, Washington, where Kelly wrote for publications including Christianity Today, Reader’s Digest, and Family Circle. In 1988, he joined the SPU staff.
Kelly wrote 17 books and was a popular speaker at writing conferences. He was also an active member and elder of Everett’s Westminster Presbyterian Church for 40 years.
Kelly is survived by children, STEPHANIE KELLY HJORTEN ’92; SHANE KELLY ’93; NATHAN KELLY ’96; and AMY KELLY ’98; six grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and nieces.
Photo by Lynn Anselmi
